The majority of people now hospitalized with COVID-19 have not been vaccinated. Minister of Health Bent Høie says that vaccination is slower in younger age groups.
70% of all inpatients in the last month were not vaccinated, Høie stated at the government’s press conference on Friday.
The number of infection cases in the last 24 hours was at the highest level so far in the pandemic, a total of 1,415 cases. A total of 65 people were hospitalized on Thursday.
But despite high infection rates, the number of hospitalizations is far lower compared to the spring infection wave, Høie pointed out.
“Those who are hospitalized now are younger than before. They do not get as sick and do not stay as long,” he said.
Inpatient profile
Over the last four weeks, the average age of inpatients amounted to 45 years, compared to 56 years for the entire pandemic. The length of stay is now 2.7 days on average, compared to 5 days in the pandemic as a whole.
Høie pointed out that vaccination is slower in the younger age groups than for the older ones. Many municipalities are now struggling to get in touch with people.
80% of the age group 25–39 have now received the first dose, but Høie hopes the proportion will increase.
“The goal is for over 90% of adults under the age of 45 to be vaccinated,” he stated.
“It is voluntary to get vaccinated. One must not explain or defend their choice. So I think many have not really made a choice yet – they postponed the decision,” Høie said.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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